Zebra Crossings program helps children with chronic ailments

RYE — It would have been impossible, just by looking at them, to have known that the lively group of children building fairy houses and making mud pies and mud soup at Nature's Wonders had any health problems.

RYE — It would have been impossible, just by looking at them, to have known that the lively group of children building fairy houses and making mud pies and mud soup at Nature's Wonders had any health problems.

Nora Genovese, 9, was a picture in mud. Her hands and face were covered, and she was thrilled by that. Nora has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, or ADHD, and is prone to seizures.

All of the kids were part of Zebra Crossings, a group dedicated to providing outdoor adventures to children who are dealing with a chronic illness on an everyday basis. They have illnesses like diabetes, asthma, seizure disorders or cystic fibrosis, cerebral palsy, juvenile arthritis — anything that requires constant health maintenance. The program's goal is to allow the children to meet their full capabilities and to know that they are not defined by their illnesses.

Colleen O'Connell had brought her daughter Kaileigh, 9, for her first excursion with Zebra Crossings. She said Kaileigh, who has type 1 diabetes, will join the group.

"I want her to get involved and to come out of her shell socially," O'Connell said. "I want her to know that she can do everything she wants to."

Kaileigh has a pump that feeds her a steady, scheduled supply of insulin as needed. She isn't on a special diet, but does require daily visits to the school nurse to monitor her condition.

"I miss lunch and recess a lot," Kaileigh said. "I have good friends and they understand, so it's not too bad. This is fun because all the other kids have something."

Dover resident Aidan Hatch, 12, has severe dairy allergies. He doesn't get to eat ice cream, nachos or pizza, and he has never taken school lunch. He has been a part of Zebra Crossings since its inception and his mother, Sheila, is now the group's program director.

"I like to help out with the younger or newer kids," Aidan said. "I really like the active, outdoor stuff."

Pat Ritter, director of Nature's Wonders, hosts a visit from the group every year. Her programs are designed to teach kids of all ages and abilities knowledge and respect for the natural world through exploration and hands-on activities at her Brackett Road home in Rye.

"This is a good group and the kids always have fun," Ritter said. "We did the fairy house and the mud kitchen. After lunch, we will make clay faces on trees and bake apples on the fire pit."

Astrid Wielers is the founder and executive director of Zebra Crossings. She has a long history working with youth and families for the American Youth Foundation. She served AYF for 14 years and held many positions, including program director and site director. Since 2002, Wielers has been involved in hosting Camp Meridian at AYF to provide camp for children with a congenital heart condition. A few years later she was involved in the partnership with CHaD at Wentworth-Douglass Hospital to develop programs for children with diabetes and their families.

In 2009, she left AYF to start Zebra Crossings. Wielers continues to serve as a member of the AYF Risk Management Committee. She is a licensed EMT and volunteers with McGregor Memorial EMS in Durham.

"I focus on what the kids are capable of, and it's a lot more than you might think," Wielers said. "It gives them a chance to be a kid, while managing their disease at the same time. Kids with chronic illnesses have a real desire to be among their peers, in a setting where they do not stand out. They do not have to talk about their illness but they can relate to the other kids because of it."

Through Zebra Crossings, kids can try new things. Wielers said they do canoe and kayak trips. They might try rock climbing, drumming, cooking classes, scavenger hunts or arts and craft projects.

"Often children with a chronic health condition have fewer opportunities to engage in such enrichment opportunities as their condition requires adaptations of program schedules and in many cases a certain level of medical supervision, which is missing in mainstream programs," Wielers said. "It is challenging for parents to let go of their child and trust they will be safe."

Wielers said Zebra Crossings develops intentional programs designed to further develop children's skills, boost their independence and reduce fear and anxiety based on their illness.

"They will be able to tap into these beliefs and attitudes when they're facing difficult moments in life," she said.